Car suddenly accelerates on its own. Happens in very hot weather, A/C on, in idle, no contact is being made with accelerator pedal, car stalls, when restarted engine light and wrench lights are on and car does not run properly. Feels like it is in first gear and doesn't go above 60mph.
2006 Ford Freestyle transmission complaints
Page 8 of 17: complaints 191 to 220 of 484, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Engine surges while in gear at low speed causing the car to lurch unexpectedly forward or backward.
Cvt transmission bad and has to be replaced. There is a recall on the torch converter on the CVT trans but replacing it doesnt really fix the problem even though it was the cause of the original problem. Once it goes bad you have bits and pieces of metal floating around all over everywhere else and the transmission just goes regardless. Useless recall. Also, the AC only blows cold at high speeds ....when driving slow in town it blows warm and I'm having electrical problems with the windows ....goes down when I pull up or wont go at all.
Vehicle for over a year has lunged forward or backward depending on gear it is in. This only takes place when the A/C is on in the vehicle. This is inconsistent but happens more often than not. The lunge is drastic enough that it is a hazard and has caused several issues in the past. The problem has continued to worsen. Dealer has not been contacted at this point but was on the list to been seen next week. All required maintenance has taken place up to this point. Today was the worst part of the issue. While traveling 75 on the interstate, the "wrench" icon on the information panel came on. At this point all acceleration was disabled and could not keep up with the flow of traffic. The vehicle could not get above 60 in order to find a safe place to park and created a significantly hazardous situation. In researching the issue, I have found over 242 filed complaints on the same problem. We will be dropping the vehicle off at the dealer asap. How many reported incidents does it take before something is done about this issue? Or will it take a loss of human life to take notice of the numerous filed complaints?
After purchasing (as a used car) for my daughter, vehicle began rapid acceleration and 'lurching' unexpectedly when shifting into forward or reverse. After several days, this was compounded by occurring when starting and stopping in traffic during brake application. I had the filters replaced (air and gas) and the problem seemed to have gone away. I asked my dealership, during my first inspection after it's purchase, wether there was a tsb in regard to this issue and would they please check it out. They alleged that they had no record of any defect regarding this issue and no tsb had been issued. They did however refuse to complete the inspection until I allowed them to overhaul the rear brakes w/new rotors for quite a kingly sum! (so much for a promotional 'free inspection'.) last night I had to venture out and retrieve the vehicle from my little girl after the car kept 'lurching' everytime she used the brake. While she was waiting in an intersection attempting to make a left turn, the car 'lurched' and stalled in front of oncoming traffic. After restarting the car an engine light and a 'wrench' was now visible on the dash, and the car had absolutely no accelerator! Due to our flat terrain I was able to bring the car home on an idle at a speed no greater than 10 m.p.h. Once safely home I tried a trick that used to work on the fleet busses I once worked on. That was rapidly turning the ignition switch on-off, on-off repeatedly about 10 (ten) times, then leave switch on and start it. This seemed to have cleared the 'wrench' and the accelerator was restored. The engine light did not clear. I've put tires, struts, strut mounts etc. Into this car to make it safe for my daughter to drive, yet I can't allow her to use it. 4 of 5 cars I own are fords, 2 being 2006 freestyles, and this is the only one that I have had a problem with. What recourse do I have now?
I was parked outside my apartment, went to put my vehicle in reverse and it lunged backward and then the vehicle shutoff. Once I got my car to start again I went to drive off and it lunged forward. This is an everyday occurrence with my vehicle.
My ford freestyle 2006 lunged backward approximately 2 to 4 feet while the transmission was in reverse, my foot was fully applied to the brake, and the vehicle was not moving. This has occurred many times in the same manner, and in similar situations over the past year. The temperature outside is usually in the 90's or above, I usually have the air-conditioning running, and the car will start to loose power with the tachometer visibly dipping down to zero. The car will then suddenly race to 2000 rpms, and the car will lunge backward (or forward) while my foot is on the brake. When this happens in reverse, it is impossible to apply the brake hard enough to stop movement. When this happens in drive, it is possible to apply the brake hard enough to stop movement, and the car engine will die.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 ford freestar. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH the vehicle stalled without warning. The rpms increased and the gears locked. The contact was able to coast the vehicle onto the emergency lane. The vehicle was towed to a dealer a diagnostic testing which located the failure within the transmission. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure and the current mileage was 120,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 ford freestyle. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle suddenly decelerated and surged forward. The contact continued to depress the accelerator pedal but the vehicle would not accelerate more than 18 MPH. The vehicle was towed to a transmission shop. The mechanic stated that the electronic throttle body would have to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. There was an investigation under the federal safety agency action number: pe11018 (vehicle speed control) that may be related to the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 66,000. Updated 8/6/12 *cn updated 08/15/2012
Same as others. Car lunges forward and/or backward when slowing to park, or just moving slow or idiling. Almost ended up over a berm at sam's club because of this problem. Very scary! Taking car in to dealership on monday. Vehicle surges when idling or going slow. Accelerates at times like parking or moving through parking lots or when stopped at stoplights.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 ford freestyle. The contact stated that she shifted into reverse in an attempt to reverse from a parking space when the vehicle abnormally accelerated. The check engine light was illuminated as the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and proceed without the failure recurring. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure and the current mileage was 90,000. ....updated 08-24-12 *bf the consumer stated the brake pedal was depressed when the vehicle abnormally accelerated. The vehicle was taken to dealer and was told the throttle body and top motor mount needed to be replaced. Updated 08/29/2012
On multiple occasions the vehicle has lurched forward or backward without having my foot on the accelerator. Applying the brake has stopped the car. The rear bumper was damaged when it hit a light pole. It seems to happen more frequently when it's warmer outside and when running the air conditioning. I'm very concerne someone might get injured. My wife has also had this happen to her on multiple occasion. I've read a number of similar complaints on the internet. I believe this vehicle should be recalled. I'm a mechanical engineer by degree and can state with certainty that this is a dangerous condition especially in a parking lot where it most frequently happens. I won't even attempt to backup the vehicle if someone is nearby in case it has one of these fits. Please keep me posted on any recall updates. Do the right thing, force the manufacturer to own up to the problem and take care of it. I took it in to have it fixed, but nobody seems to know or is willing to say what's wrong. They just offer to change out a lot of parts in the hopes of hitting upon the problem. That's too expensive of an approach. Does ford know the source of the problem? Will they share that information with their dealerships or the consumers?
Vehicle suddenly lurches forward without pressing the accelerator. Seems to happen when just starting to move or sometimes while coming to a stop.
My issue started almost a about a year ago. I was in a parking lot waiting for my son and had air conditioner on and we sat for about 30 min. As soon as I pushed brake in and about to put in d we lunged a couple of times and I was able to stop with brake. I tried again and we lunged again. I put in r and we bolted out of spot. Luckily no one was behind us. Finally was able to get in d and then we stalled. I've had the transmission cleaned and fluids replaced, but we have been having the same issue over this past year.the latest episode was when I finally got the car to drive and I was barely moving. I was on a busy road trying to go past 10mph. I am seeing tons of complaints about this same issue and am wondering why this hasn't been solved????? It is obviously a defect. Why wait till someone gets killed and then sues.
The transmission went out in my 2006 ford freestyle, my extended warranty ran out at 60000 mile. It cost me $7000 out of pocket to make the repair. This really put a burden on me financially.
Vehicle suddenly accelerates at low speed both when moving forward and when backing up. This sometimes results in a stall. Vehicle also lost low end power.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 ford freestyle. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH,, the vehicle independently came to a complete stop. He depressed the accelerator pedal but the vehicle would not respond. The vehicle then started to roll backward and the contact quickly shifted to park, stopping the vehicle from rolling any further. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and was not taken to the dealer for inspection or repairs. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure and the current mileage was 56,953. Updated 7/20/12 *cn the transaxle assembly was replaced. Updated 07/30/12
I purchased my 2006 ford freestyle in june of 2007. Initially I fell in love with the comfort, size, and gas mileage of my new car. Around 2 1/2 yrs later I started noticing when moving from park to reverse my car would sometimes stall or lunge backwards. It was only occasionally and at the time I was told I probably didn't have it in gear all the way before reversing. I had to switch from park to reverse very slowly and always be ready to hit the brake in case it decided to lunge on its own. This problem has almost completely gone away except now I have problems accelerating. Almost always on the highway now my car will loose power and the wrench light will come on. Once I pull over and restart it , it seems to temporarily solve the problem. This is however beyond dangerous. Several times this has happened in places on busy highways where there is no shoulder. I have to travel in the slow lane now 100% of the time and I try to avoid major interstate at all costs. I have invested a great deal of money into several different things that have turned out to not be the problem. I feel like this car should have been recalled by now, before it ends up killing someone. I bought this car because it seemed like a great family car but now I am scared to death to even let children ride with me. I am also very upset that after paying down over a 20k loan to 5k that I will have to buy another car. I planned on having this car for years and years. I attempted in 2009 and in 2011 to trade the car in for a new car and the $ value of trade in is very low. The dealerships are well aware of the problems and offer a very small amount for a 7 passenger 2006 with only 85k miles on and it gets great gas mileage compared to most suvs or vans that seat 7.
While stopped at a traffic light, parking lot (not in park) or drive through the vehicle frequently lunges forward (or backward if in reverse). Applying brakes stops this, but we never know when it's going to lunge and we've had several close calls where we almost hit other vehicles.
Experienced an engine surge and lunge while waiting at a traffic light with my foot on the brake. Panel lamp (wrench) came on. Then when trying to accelerate through intersection could not increase velocity, as if I was sort of stuck in "low gear." I pulled off of roadway and stopped the engine. After restart, problem seemed to be recurring but began to function more normally. On the next restart (trying to drive to repair shop) there was another episode of lunging when trying to stop (foot on brake, not accelerator.) pretty scary. My shop found codes, did research, and subsequently replaced throttle-body and a broken upper engine mount. They also re-flashed the computer. 1 month ago they had replaced the battery. Drove home ok, and no issues in last few days, but have read anecdotes that these problems continue once they start. Don't know what % of freestyles do this, but it is a real and dangerous problem on those that do. I'm afraid to put my wife back into this vehicle!
After starting engine, placed in reverse and vehicle suddenly surged backward while my foot was still on the brake. Later, engine was periodically surging forward as I kept my foot on the brake while in rush hour traffic until the "wrench" light came on the instrument panel at which time the engine died. Restarted engine and idled smoothly until I put it in drive and started lurching forward again as "wrench" light came on again. Idle RPM was fluctuating between 400 to 1,000 RPM with my foot on the brake. Had to keep left foot on brake with right foot on accelerator to keep engine running without bucking. Moved to side of road and turned off engine to wait out traffic. Restarted about 15 minutes later and drove home with no more problems, but noticed that it periodically bucks when idling so had car serviced and they said that the computer had reset itself. Still does it periodically.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 ford freestyle. The contact stated that the transmission light illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was told that the transmission needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the dealer advised that the transmission could not be repaired, only replaced. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage and current mileages were 90,800.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 ford freestyle. The contact stated that the vehicle would not respond to acceleration moving forward or reversing. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the transmission was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 92,000.
While vehicle was pulling into garage the vehicle surged forward striking and pinning a person between the vehicle and brick wall. Person recieved injuries to both legs requiring medical treatment. This vehicle has surged ever since we purchased it. Ford has told us repeated times that it's not a recall problem because it's not a safety problem.
Motor surge, leaching out of control.
Purchased used three days prior to first incident. I was traveling at 55mph when I asked the vehicle to accelerate to maintain the current speed up an incline. The vehicles rpms shot up to 5k and I couldn't accelerate. I had my infant daughter in the car with me and was almost hit by another car behind me. I was forced off the road and turned the vehicle off. When I restarted all was ok again. This has happened numerous times since. I have also had a problem with the vehicle accelerating without me hitting the gas. I was in a parking lot when I put the vehicle in reverse and removed my foot from the brake. As I did this the vehicle lurched out of the space almost striking a pedestrian that walked out behind me. I was able to react quickly enough and hit the brake stopping the car. This has also happened in my driveway in drive as well. Dealer is aware of the problems on this car from the previous owner having it in the shop multiple times. They have told me that the part to fix the transmission problem is in-accessible and that my only option is to replace the entire transmission for $4500.00. When all I need is a single part inside the trans. Also, the throttle body is on backorder. The dealerships response to all of these problems is without an apology to take $50.00 off of my service bill for my inconvenience. The vehicle is currently sitting in my driveway because I am too scared to drive it. I have just made my first payment on a car I cant drive.
The car will lunge once foot is taken off of the brake pedal without pressing down on the gas pedal. Car lunges in both forward and reverse. This has happened multiple times..
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 ford freestyle. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle exhibited an abnormal rattling. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic who inspected the failure and advised that the CVT transmission was defective and would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. As the contact left the dealer, the shifter became stuck in drive and could not be shifted into any other gear. The dealer was notified who advised the contact that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure who filed a complaint on behalf of the contact. No further assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 97,000.
First, during a family vacation the wrench light kept coming on and the 2006 freestyle would have no acceleration like the transmission would not engage to get the required speed to pass. This results in slowing traffic down causing road rage with other drivers in the vicinity. On one occasion one of our teenagers who is learning to drive experienced this and will not drive the car for this reason. Also, on several occasions while I was driving in route to work or the grocery store, my 06 ford freestyle sel limited seemed slow and sluggish to respond as I would be waiting at a red light for the green. When the light did turn green and I would press the gas pedal to go, the car would stall/shut off. A few times there were close calls as the car behind me would be unaware I was having trouble and almost rear-end me. When the car would cut off, I would proceed to restart the car and then press the gas to go. The car seemed to respond extremely slow like I would have the gas pedal pressed to the floor and would only be able to go 20 - 25 MPH. On other occasions, the car would seem to lurch forward or backward (depending on if I had the car in drive or reverse) the wrench light coming on my 2006 ford freestyle creates a very dangerous situation because the engine will accelerate without applying the gas pedal and will not accelerate at times when the gas pedal is pressed. People at ford tell me that the company making the valve body part went out of business without notice, which does not help my situation any. So what is to be done? I have notified my state and federal highway safety commissioners, the federal safety agency, and my friend who also owns a 2006 ford freestyle of the problem and I would like to ask everyone with a similar problem to do the same. Please explain,what is to be done?
My wife was coming home from work, she went to park the car outside in front of our porch where she normally parks at. She still had her foot on the brake and was getting ready to switch gears when the car accelerated and went over our flowerpot and into my porch braking a few boards and scratching the front of my car. This is not the first time it has accelerated on us while not suppose to. When I bought the car in august 2011 we took it to myrtle beach for a week, while in myrtle beach the car would try to take off and/or die while at low speeds with the A/C on. The problem almost caused us to hit a pedestrian. This car is very unsafe, and really needs the problem fixed.
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